Want an easy turkey burger recipe that you can bake at home? This kid-friendly baked turkey burger is full of flavor from lean ground turkey, parmesan cheese, and chopped spinach for extra nutrition. It’s also gluten-free.
Baked turkey burgers are an overall great kid-approved dinner meal. Served with a bun and garnished with burger toppings, kids love taking a bite into a juicy burger.
You can make beef burgers by replacing the ground turkey with ground beef. You could also try our Cheese Stuffed Burgers, which are also very tasty.
You’ll love baking turkey burgers in the oven because you don’t have to flip them like you do on a grill or stove. Just shape the patties into patties and put them on a baking sheet. The oven will do the rest. You’ll be glad to know that cooking turkey burgers in the oven only takes 20 minutes!
An extra bonus? Line the baking pan with tin foil. Then you just need to toss the foil afterward and put the pan away – no mess!.
First, get the ingredients and tools you need. Then, read the directions or use the printable recipe card below to get started.
Turkey burgers are a delicious, healthier alternative to beef burgers. But getting the cook time right is key to ensuring they come out perfectly juicy and safe to eat. When baking turkey burgers in a 400°F oven, how long should you cook them?
I did some research and tested recipes to determine the ideal cook time for turkey burgers at 400°F. In this article, I’ll share my findings on how long you need to bake turkey burgers at this temperature to get ideal doneness. I’ll also provide tips for ensuring your turkey burgers are moist and flavorful.
Why Cooking at 400°F Works Well for Turkey Burgers
Cooking turkey burgers at a high oven temperature like 400°F helps them develop a nice browned exterior while cooking through. The hot oven jumpstarts the Maillard reaction, which is the chemical process that creates those tasty brown seared bits on meat.
400°F is at the upper end of the ideal temperature range for baking turkey burgers. It ensures:
- The exterior gets nicely browned and crusty.
- The interior cooks through to a safe 165°F.
- The burger cooks fast enough that the inside doesn’t dry out.
Higher heat helps form that flavorful crust on the outside of the patties But you don’t want to go above 400°F or you risk overcooking the burgers before the center is done
Cook Time for 1/3 to 1/2 Inch Thick Turkey Burgers
For optimal results, I recommend shaping your turkey burger patties to around 1/3 to 1/2 inch thickness. Thinner patties will overcook at 400°F and thicker ones may undercook in the middle.
At this ideal thickness, turkey burgers take 11 to 13 minutes to bake at 400°F.
I found 11 minutes works for smaller 1/3 pound patties, while thicker 1/2 pound burgers may need closer to 13 minutes.
As a general rule of thumb, bake turkey burgers at 400°F for 5-6 minutes per 1/2 inch thickness.
So a 1/3 inch thick patty takes around 11 minutes and a 1/2 inch about 13 minutes.
Checking Doneness of Turkey Burgers
The best way to confirm your turkey burgers have cooked through is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of a patty and it should register 165°F.
If you don’t have a thermometer, you can check doneness by cutting into a burger after baking. It should show no signs of pink inside. And the juices should run clear rather than pink or red.
Properly cooked turkey burgers will be lightly firm but still moist and juicy inside. If the meat seems dried out or rubbery, reduce cook time slightly next round.
Tips for Moist, Juicy Turkey Burgers
Besides cook time, there are some other tips that can help ensure your turkey burgers baked at 400°F come out perfectly:
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Use 85-90% lean ground turkey for enough fat to keep burgers moist. Going above 95% lean can cause dryness.
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Gently mix in a little olive oil or egg yolk to add moisture and bind the meat.
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Lightly coat the patties with oil spray or brush with oil before baking. This promotes browning and keeps the exterior from drying out.
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Shape thinner, wider patties around 4 inches across. They’ll cook more evenly than large thick burgers.
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Allow burgers to rest 5 minutes after removing from the oven so juices redistribute.
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Add moist toppings like cheese, guacamole, or garlic aioli.
Step-By-Step Guide to Baked Turkey Burgers
Follow these simple steps for juicy turkey burgers cooked just right in a 400°F oven:
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Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
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In a large bowl, gently mix 1 1/2 lbs 85/90% lean ground turkey with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, and seasonings until just combined.
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Divide into 4 portions and form into patties about 4 inches wide and 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick.
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Arrange patties on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush tops with olive oil or spray with oil.
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Bake at 400°F for 11 to 13 minutes depending on thickness until 165°F internal temperature.
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Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
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Top with your favorite burger toppings and enjoy your juicy oven-baked turkey burgers!
The Takeaway on Cook Time for Juicy Turkey Burgers
Cooking turkey burgers in a 400°F oven for 11 to 13 minutes ensures they develop a nicely seared exterior while staying moist inside. Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm they reach a safe 165°F internal temperature.
With the right thickness, temp, and cook time, you’ll get outstanding turkey burgers from your oven. Just be sure not to overbake them or they’ll dry out.
How To Make Baked Turkey Burgers In Oven
Before you start, heat your oven to 400°F and line your baking pan with tin foil to make cleanup easier. This simple step will save you time and effort later.
Now, it’s time to combine the delicious ingredients for your turkey burgers. Two large eggs, three tablespoons of gluten-free bread crumbs, one pound of lean ground turkey, one tablespoon of pickle relish, one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, half a teaspoon of onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and a quarter teaspoon of pepper should all be mixed together in a medium-sized bowl. Don’t forget to add 1/4 cup of finely chopped spinach to enhance both flavor and nutritional value. With your hands, mix the ingredients thoroughly until everything is well combined.
Once your mixture is ready, it’s time to shape the turkey patties. Using your hands, divide the meat into four equal portions and form them into patties. Make sure to slightly push the middle of each patty in so they don’t get too swollen as they cook. Place the formed patties onto the prepared baking pan, ensuring they are evenly spaced for even cooking.
Now, it’s time to bake the turkey burgers. Put them in an oven that is already hot and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, which is safe. This ensures that the burgers are thoroughly cooked and safe to eat.
Serve the hot turkey burgers on buns and top them with your favorite garnishes. Whether it’s fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocados, or any other toppings you love, let your creativity shine.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Variations on the Seasonings: You can change the seasonings to your liking. For extra flavor, you can add herbs like oregano or basil. For some heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use Fresh Spinach: For better taste and texture, use fresh spinach. Make sure it’s chopped up small enough to mix well with the burger mix.
- Don’t Overmix: When you mix the ingredients together, do it just until everything is combined. Too much mixing can make the burgers tough, so be careful when you mix the ingredients.
- Bun Choice: Pick the buns that you like best—whole wheat, brioche, or gluten-free, depending on your dietary needs. For a low-carb option, you could also use lettuce wraps or portobello mushroom caps.
- Add a slice of your favorite cheese to the turkey burgers in the last few minutes of baking for a melty, gooey topping.
- Toppings for Burgers: To make the taste better, try adding avocado slices, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or bacon.
- Condiments: Let customers make their own burgers by giving them a choice of condiments, such as BBQ sauce, aioli, or hot sauce.
- Make Extra Patties: If you’re going to the trouble of making the burger mix, you might want to make extra patties and freeze them for later use. Just use parchment paper to keep them from sticking together and store them in a container that won’t let air in.
- You can bake these turkey burgers according to the recipe, but you can also cook them on a grill or in a grill pan on the stove for a different taste. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Bake ground turkey burgers for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the patty reaches 165°F.
Mix the listed seasonings with the ground turkey prior to forming the burger patties. Other options include seasoning with a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
Yes, you can! Mix the burger ingredients together, make patties, and then put them on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Cover the entire baking sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerator the day before.
Before cooking, freeze the patties by shaping them and then stacking them with parchment paper in between each one. Place the stack in a freezer bag then in the freezer for up to 3 months. If baking from frozen, add more time until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, or let it thaw the night before and bake for 20 minutes.
Allow the turkey burgers to cool to room temperature, then wrap each one in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to store them. Alternatively, place them in an airtight container, separating each patty with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
If you want to keep them for a longer period, freezing is an option. Place the wrapped or containerized patties in the freezer, where they can be stored for 1-2 months.
You can either let them thaw overnight in the fridge or cook them straight from frozen, but this will take a few more minutes. This way, you can enjoy your homemade turkey burgers whenever you like with minimal effort.
Best Ever Juicy Turkey Burgers
FAQ
How long do turkey burgers take at 400?
How long to cook hamburger patties in the oven at 400?
How do you know when ground turkey burgers are done?
How to cook turkey burgers in the oven?
Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place the turkey burgers on the tray. Set the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place them in the oven. Cook for 25 minutes and then take them out. Enjoy!
How long do you cook a turkey burger?
Cook the turkey burgers for approximately 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, flip the burgers over with a spatula. Continue cooking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the turkey burger patties and your oven’s efficiency.
What temperature do you cook a turkey burger at?
Cooking turkey burgers at 400 degrees for 25 minutes will give you that experience. Also make sure that the cooked temperature of the turkey patties have reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit for it to be fully cooked. What are other cooking temperature for turkey burger?
How long do you cook a burger at 400?
One: Combine ingredients in a bowl. Two: Shape into burger patties, and place on a baking sheet. Three: Bake at 400 F / 200 C for about 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through cooking. Four: Serve with your favorite toppings. Only mix the ingredients until just combined. Don’t over mix the meat, or it will dry out.
How do you cook turkey burgers on a grill?
Arrange the patties in a single layer in a parchment paper-lined baking dish and freeze. Be sure your grill grates are clean and heat the grill to medium-high heat. Oil the grill grates well to prevent sticking. Grill burgers about 5-6 minutes per side, until cooked through. I love cooking turkey burgers in my cast iron skillet!
How long do you cook ground turkey patties?
In a large bowl, mix together the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, diced green chilis, red onion, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and salt. Form into 4 flat patties. Allow to sit for 10 minutes. Put the patties on the lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the middles of the patties are no longer pink.